Booking.com Reviews
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Booking.com provides an online platform for arranging travel. Offering flights, accommodations, car rentals and travel experiences, the site provides a one-stop shop for trip planning. Booking.com has a global reach and connects users to a wide variety of travel options, facilitating reservations and customer support.
Visit www.booking.com- User-friendly booking process
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- Flexible cancellation policies
- Inconsistent pricing information
- Poor communication from support
- Issues with reservation accuracy
Booking.com Reviews
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Reviewed March 31, 2021
I booked with Booking.com to stay at the Acaica Boutique Hotel. The hotel is beautiful but the service we received during our stay was unbelievable. Our first night there was a fire in our room, there were no alarms going off to alarm us of the fire. We only knew about the fire because we seen the cloud of black smoke while we were in the pool. There was not a single hotel employee in sight for the next 13 hours!! No one at the front desk no one at all. Other guests were just running out of the building.
Apparently the ice machine caught on fire but hotel management claimed the smoke detectors did not go off because the fire was outside of the property which is a total lie because the ice machine was inside the building. Fire trucks, ambulances came but still not one hotel personnel. Firemen told us we were able to go back to our rooms without any explanation as to what exactly happened. The fire occurred at 8:40ish pm and there was no one at the front desk until 9:30am the next morning. There was people sleeping on the couches waiting for someone to come to the front desk so they can check in. When I asked to speak to a manager regarding the fire she told me she didnt know where the manager was and that I had to wait.
The fire was Tuesday. I didnt speak to a manager until Friday afternoon. I told her I wanted to speak in person and she told me she could only help over the phone. She told me the fire was not inside so there was nothing she can do and she hung up the phone on me. There was a line of other guest waiting with their own complaints that were never addressed. They did not have enough towel. They kept coming to get our used towel to rewash to give back to use because they ran out. They did not have wash clothes available or extra sheets. Our air conditioner remote did not work so we could not control the temperature in our rooms. We froze every night because they couldnt give us extra blankets. They charged me an extra 300 smoking fee but I do not smoke. They said I smoked in the room. The only smoke that was in my room was from the fire.
Reviewed March 31, 2021
Used their site to book my family vacation. Emailed them Numerous times about extra charges to my card. Never have received a response! Stay away! If I paid $150 for a cleaning fee why am I being threatened saying more charges for extra cleaning? Make it make sense!
Reviewed March 31, 2021
I booked a flight through Booking.com. I have a Covid family emergency and needed to cancel the flight. The flight was supposed to be 4/30/21 so it is not a last minute change. Not only would they not refund me, but they also tried to charge me exorbitant fees if I wanted to just change it. The customer service rep told me they have to follow the American Airlines policy for cancellations and fees associated. I called American Airlines and they are not charging any fees for cancellations or changes due to Covid. Regarding changes to the flight, booking.com is tacking on $200 + other fees. Not only was the representative be dishonest, but they also were not nice or helpful. I spoke with a supervisor who was also not helpful. I understand people have accents and I appreciate diversity, however, there was limited ability to understand the agent and the supervisor.
Reviewed March 29, 2021
I have been a member of Booking.com since 2019. I recently joined a few other travel services. I couldn't believe the lack of incentive they have. I have completed 31 stays Feb-March 19 with no free nights offered, no upgrades, nothing for my loyalty to their service. I joined Choice Hotels program and within 4 stays I received a free night. Their services at booking.com are filled with hidden fees and therefore make the price you are paying higher than if you just walk in off the street and get a room. Therefore I believe they as are fraudulent in their offers. I would never recommend them for travel service.
Reviewed March 27, 2021
I booked a stay online for a Hilton property but even though Booking.com showed the correct dates, Hilton did not. Only booking.com could correct the dates but after 3 phone calls, hours online trying to correct this before my trip, it still isn’t fixed. Do NOT trust booking.com. It has been a terrible experience.
Reviewed March 26, 2021
I used Booking.com to book a vacation rental unit. The unit booking showed in photos at every step of the process were photos of the wrong unit. When I searched for available units the search results showed up with thumbnail photos. I clicked into one specific listing for price and due to the quality of the photo. On the specific unit page it showed >20 photos of a very nice unit. There was only one option available to book so I clicked the “reserve” button. On the next screen, the confirmation screen, it showed the same photos/unit. After confirming the reservation and paying I received an email with my reservation details showing the same photos/unit yet again. When we arrived at the unit it looked nothing like the photos. It was a smaller unit, with less beds, and very old outdated furniture half of which was broken.
We would not have booked it if we knew the unit we’d receive. I called Booking.com thinking there was a mix up and they gave us the wrong unit. They said the photos shown are not photos of the actual unit but generic photos. That’s very misleading as the photos were extremely nice with granite countertops, hardwood floor, two story unit, stainless steel appliances. None of those existed in the actual unit. They said they show the actual unit photos by clicking through an obscure hyperlink that was not obvious to me.
They also said they offer multiple units so it should be obvious that the photos were stock. However, there was only one unit available to book so I didn’t have options and it wasn’t obvious given that they showed me the photos at 4 different steps in the process including after reserving the unit. You’d think they’d show the actual photos of the unit at confirmation and post booking but they don’t. They don’t because they’re trying to deceive people and get them to book. Booking.com refused to do anything to help rectify the situation and were very demeaning on the phone.
Reviewed March 25, 2021
Booked a 2 night stay in Mammoth and Booking.com doubled booked me (2 rooms for the same night). Attempted to get a hold of them within 1 hour of booking but was unsuccessful. Called hotel and they claimed they would cancel 1 of the bookings. Got a email 3 days later from Booking.com that I have 2 bookings and do I want to cancel 1. Again canceled 1 and got an immediate email back (20 seconds later) that they reached out to the hotel and the cancellation was declined. Scam! Booking.com site is slow and glitchy. Beware of the misleading 'free cancellation' ad.
Reviewed March 15, 2021
I had a great experience with Booking.com before until this situation happened today. I booked the hotel at 3/4 via mobile phone, which offered me a great price. Then today, 3/15, I received two phone calls and two emails from booking.com that said that the hotel found that their rate was way too low, compared with the surrounding hotels. And I can either cancel it or pay nearly 65 bucks difference for two nights (which exclude all the taxes and resort fees, the new price only 10 dollars cheaper than the current rate).
I asked the customer service and said that this wasn't my responsibility, "I paid what I saw on your site, and it's only two weeks from traveling there." It's hard to find an ideal hotel, which has a great price, location, and services in two weeks. And if the rate were too low, they should contact me ASAP, so I can have more time to search for another one. I told everything I can say to customer service on booking.com, and their responses were the same, either I cancel the reservation or pay extra. It's my first time feel powerless as a customer, who has no guarantee on the price I paid. And I need to worry about paying more if the hotel raised the rate during the reservation. Which makes me feel powerless and upset.
Reviewed March 15, 2021
I booked a hotels using Booking.com 2 months in advance, while I tried to understand their no cancelation policy I also thought they would at least work something out when I made a mistake and booked my hotel for the wrong date. I called booking.com and they said the hotel told them no to my request to update my dates, that the manager at the hotel told them not to ever call them again to try to change my dates. Nor the hotel tried to help. I booked my hotel in early March for my vacation in May with my family. I had to cancel my flights and rental car and cancel my stay in the end at the hotel because they decided they would not work my dates or refund me anything back. I lost 600.00 and my family vacation in total was cancelled.

Reviewed March 3, 2021
If you use Booking.com be really careful. I have had two bad experiences with this company. Once in Ohio a few years ago and another in Nebraska a week ago. They charged our credit card 9 times for a room. I wouldn't recommend this site to anyone. And if you should happen to use Booking.com make sure you was only charged for the rooms you rented!
Reviewed March 3, 2021
Here is my tip: https://Booking.com may give you a pricing for a hotel or a Resort in El Salvador. While the pricing may look TOO good to be true, you may want to check with the local hotel/resort as https://Booking.Com does not disclaim that in El Salvador, the cost per day/night at a given place are applied PER PERSON and not per ROOM. I recently learned this information as I was planning my trip to El Salvador on 3.31.21. Double check as you may get hit with additional charges once you reach your destination. This feedback is related to a resort named: Hotel Bahia Del Sol, La Herradura, El Salvador. Nelson **
Reviewed Feb. 22, 2021
I had booked this vacation and planned to stay 3/17/2020 to 3/24/2020. I understand that they did not have a cancelation policy... and would not have canceled if not for COVID-19. It is now almost a year later and I have not received any refund. This is completely unacceptable. This was no fault of my own. I am out not only the money for the trip but the trip itself. I have called several times, waited on hold for hours and sent documentation screenshots from the company stating that Booking.com could refund. I couldn't even get the dates changed not that it would have mattered as were are still dealing with Covid almost a year later. I will never book through Stay Alfred as they refuses to do anything or Booking.com or their affiliates. I might as well book directly through a hotel like the Marriott or Hilton. I might pay more but at least they would have given me a refund.
Reviewed Feb. 22, 2021
I looked online for a hotel in a town. Booking.com list about five hotels in the $70 range. But when you clicked the hotel, all were in the $250 range. I call this switch and bait. I used their filter, and the same hotels came up, at three times the, advertised rate.
Reviewed Feb. 22, 2021
I am very dissatisfied with Booking.com, we initially made reservations for this weekend (February 19-21, 2021) to Blue Ridge, Georgia. We had to make a change to one night (February 20-21) and did so before the deadline of February 17, 2021. When we get to the Reid Ridge Lodge, we are told that they do not have the modification from the initial reservation. We showed them the confirmation sent on February 16, 2021 from Booking.com. We had to pay for 2 nights and was approached rudely by the Owner VD about the overcharge. The lodge reported they did not get the modification. The agents at booking.com have not been helpful on how to get refunded for the overcharge. Will not use booking.com or go to Reid Ridge Lodge in Blue Ridge again.
Reviewed Feb. 19, 2021
Great vacation until we tried to travel home. We tried calling and waited more than 2 hours for a callback and then they were unable/unwilling to help us. Stranded for 48 hours because of this company with no help rebooking flights. We are out for hotel, food, and time off work because I was hung up on repeatedly by their customer service department. Once I was finally home, they told me there's nothing they can do for me that they were really sorry all this happened. They were unwilling to make it right, but told me that I could have requested a refund for my flight home if I would have been able to reach them at the time.
Reviewed Feb. 10, 2021
It was my first time to book a flight with them when the airline cancelled my flight and they could not find me another options. I requested for my refund back in July 2020 and I only received it today February 10, 2021. Never ever use this site again! I paid all the interest in my cc for all months that passed. The customer service kept on sending prewritten email templates that I received several times. Such a disgrace!!!
Reviewed Jan. 22, 2021
Stay away from this crappy company! Rude customer support unwilling to refund my MONEY although I have already cancelled my room booking with hotel. Booking.com was asking me to get refund from hotel. I spoke with a hotel agent, they never received the money from booking.com as the hotel never charged booking.com. I would give negative stars to this company if there was!!!!
Reviewed Jan. 19, 2021
I booked a hotel. Got a confirmation and drove to the location just to be told they are full and Booking never sent a email letting me know that they were full. So I had to drive all the way back home at 2am.
Reviewed Jan. 9, 2021
On Monday January 4, 2021 I booked a room through Booking.com for a room at Baymont Inn, in Texarkana, AR. The following morning My Employee call me and said he needed to stay a few extra days. I told him to stay and just keep the room on my American Express card. Baymont said they would not extend the stay unless I sent all of my “Personal” information…Both sides of my Drivers license and both sides of my American Express Card…I was not willing to do that; and told my employee to go to a different hotel. Baymont Inn told him they would charge my card for canceling the reservations. 1. I did NOT cancel the reservation, They did! 2. They would not charge my card for a room but they did Charge my card $150.00 for Fraudulent Charges.
After they told my Employee they would charge my card a cancelation fee they then made up a story that my employee Smoked in the Room; He did NOT! All that said; Booking.com Allowed the thieves at Baymont to keep the charges… They took the word of a liar and a Thief over the word of “Their” Customer. If you book through Booking.com don’t expect them to have your back if anything goes wrong!!!
Reviewed Dec. 27, 2020
Be aware that Hard Rock Cancun penalizes guests who book through this site. Three times they refused to help when I asked in advance about being on the same floor as my children, citing the fact that I had used a third-party site. (When I checked in, I was told it would cost me $49 extra per night to be on the same floor.) When I checked in, my ocean view room was in fact a view of a rusty exhaust pipe. You could not see the ocean from the room unless you stepped on the balcony and looked sideways. It cost me $100 a night extra to get a real ocean view room. The hotel is at less than 60% occupancy. I understand that there are different tiers of service. I also understand that hotels prefer direct bookings. But this is the first time I have felt directly punished for being a Booking.com client. And, to be honest, the customer service folks at Booking were no help — telling me to contact the property directly. And then they simply didn’t respond at all.
Reviewed Dec. 21, 2020
Hotel reservation cancelled because of COVID and no one can help us get refund although I specifically booked a more expensive option for free cancellation. When I try to call they ask to enter the confirmation number and PIN and the one I have for the one already cancelled is not recognized for some reason so I can't get help from anyone. Also the hotel won't answer as well.
Reviewed Dec. 20, 2020
Everything about this company screams identity theft and dodgyness. I will avoid them in future. They want far too much sensitive and unnecessary information, which they only ask for once you have paid and too close to the booking date to cancel and get a refund.
Reviewed Dec. 19, 2020
I recently booked a British Airways flight from London to Istanbul through Booking.com. I paid for an extra checked bag at a cost of $106.94. Due to Covid lockdown restrictions being tightened I decided to shorten my stay and, given that I would need to take fewer clothes with me, I tried to cancel the checked bag. Booking.com refused to cancel this even though British Airways would have cancelled without any problems. This is simple profiteering on the part of Booking.com. Once they have your money you will never see it again. I will never use a third party booking service again after this experience and advise others to book directly with the hotel or airline they will use. They will thank themselves should they need to make any changes. Just a final note to say that the promised call back from a manager at Booking.com never came. Avoid this company at all costs.
Reviewed Dec. 2, 2020
Please be careful using booking.com if you are expecting assistance if a problem occurs, you will not. I will take the extra step and book directly through resorts for future travel. Do not expect assistance from Booking.com if you encounter an issue with a reservation, you will get “unfortunately we are unable to assist”. I found out you can get better deals booking directly with the resorts as well.
Reviewed Nov. 20, 2020
I used Booking.com to reserve a hotel for my honeymoon. I was excited and had paid and received the receipt and confirmation number a few days before the booking. Then when we showed up, the hotel's check in system had no record of our reservation despite being charged for it by booking.com. The website seemed really legitimate but I wish I had seen all the terrible reviews. RESERVE ELSEWHERE. Never use booking.com. It is not worth the stress when they mess it up.
Reviewed Nov. 10, 2020
My money hasn't been refunded and when I try to call the Australian no: it's disconnected. To get my account reimbursed the $148.41 that was debited on the 16/09/2020, I have tried calling then, twittered, and now I have had to Call Lauren from The Argyle Accommodation at Hobart, Tasmania to help me. On the 16/10/2020 I was told by phone that the money would be in my account by Mon or Tues, also I was told to tell the Argyle Accommodation to back off and stop calling them and nothing since. When Lauren called me, they told her a fortnight, it is a fortnight over that one almost 4 weeks.
Reviewed Nov. 5, 2020
I am literally dumbfounded by the fact that this company is allowed to operate. They are an absolute scam and will offer things that the rental companies will not honor, then give you no opportunity to contact them for customer support and no refund. What a dumpster fire, nightmare of a company. BBB needs to shut them down.
Reviewed Oct. 28, 2020
Adelaide Airport. Further investigation revealed in fact that the hire car company was not at the Airport so I contacted booking.com to advise them of this and I wished to cancel the booking as the advertising was misleading. I was was told I would incur a cancellation fee of $131.00. I will steer away from this company as I want correct information on a booking site.
Reviewed Oct. 26, 2020
I have used Booking.com for many years to book hotels. The most recent booking is my last. I received a confirmation email for the price of my hotel stay at Hampton Inn. Upon checking out I requested a receipt and was told one would be emailed to me. It was not. When I checked my credit card I was charged more than the amount on my Booking.com email. I called the Hampton Inn and they told me they have nothing to do with it, Booking.com handles the charge. I also again requested a receipt and did not receive one. When I called Booking.com they requested a copy of my credit card charge, which I sent them. They then emailed me and said it was the Hampton Inn who was responsible for the charge, each company blaming the other and I am stuck paying.
Reviewed Oct. 25, 2020
Our anniversary was coming up. We were deciding on the Oregon coast hotels, and chose through Booking.com Elizabeth Hotel in Newport, OR because it was the only one available with Corner King Suite (double view). The price for two nights was about $585. We really anticipated the view above everything else. When we got there, we were given a regular king suit. Very disappointing. But in addition to that, the desk clerk, except telling us that all corner rooms are booked, did not offer any help or compensation even when I showed our email confirmation of a Corner King Suite. We were downgraded without our consent. I called Booking.com. They appeared concerned, telling us that we should be compensated, and that they would call Elizabeth hotel to discuss it with them. We waited and waited and waited on the line... No response from Booking.com.
Reviewed Oct. 25, 2020
While visiting Morro Bay, CA, my husband and I decided to spend the night. I went on Booking.com to see what hotels were available and how much. I picked a hotel that said it had a room available and booked it. Within 5 minutes or so, I received a confirmation and it was for the next night, not that night. I went on the website to attempt to cancel the reservation but there was no way to do it. I then called the 800 number and was on hold for over 30 minutes before I reached a human assistant.
I explained that I had just (less than 1 hour) made the reservation but the website reserved the room for the following night, not that night (I had my husband call the hotel directly and they said they were full that night). I felt it was a bait and switch as Booking.com said the hotel had a room available that night and I asked for a refund. Booking.com refused to refund the cost of a room that they knew was not available on the day I requested. Do not use this site!
Reviewed Oct. 19, 2020
I booked through them for my daughter last bday a 4day trip. I selected pay at counter and I was still charged 1100 randomly 2 days for the trip... That’s a month away on Nov 8th.... Went through 6 phone calls from 11:45 until 2:44 and 8 different people... only to get hung up on by the staff Aurelia who refused to allow me to Speak to a manager regarding the funds being taken out of my account... The last supervisor refused to accommodate me after 1100 of my money is inaccessible for the next 5 days bc of their mistake!!! I’ll never book through them again!!!
Reviewed Oct. 17, 2020
Beware! This Company does nothing to help solve problems but use robot emails offering no solution. They have withdrawn a substantial amount of money from my Visa Debit account using no reference number or confirmation and no explanation and want proof of my booking when I had no a booking at all! I am not happy with this service. They are too inaccessible and really they are there to help themselves not the people using their service. I find the company frustrating, unapproachable and very difficult to deal with. Find another holiday venue rather than use them!
Reviewed Oct. 16, 2020
I rented a car and paid in advance 4 months ago for 6 days in Orlando. I provided my flight information, all the requirements asked for, to include an arrival time of 2200hrs. I even went as far as to call 3 days in advance (the actual car company - Easirent) and ensure they had my reservations. I was assured all was well and given instructions on where to meet the shuttle after my plane landed at 2200. Imagine my surprise to learn when I arrived that the company closed before 2200, and this was a frequent occurrence at the airport.
I was left with no other option but to rent on site, and since it was not a “pre-paid rental” the cost was almost 3 times as much. After contacting the company today, they are placing blame on Booking.com, and Booking.com is not responding to my email or request for assistance, but I can assure you they are still holding my money. This is no less than theft... to presale a product you know you will never provide. So take it from me, buyer beware. Only reason it has one star, is rating in the negative was not an option.
Reviewed Oct. 16, 2020
Ordinarily, BOOKING.COM do a reasonable job, BUT these are not ordinary times, and these extraordinary times have shown up their weakness. We had used BOOKING.COM to book a DOWNTOWN HISTORIC APARTMENT in Porto, Portugal, WITH a FREE cancellation allowed. That was canceled, as allowed, in mid-March. This is now mid-October and, despite many, many requests to and promises from BOOKING.COM we have not received a cent from this booking. This exposes a hidden flaw in their process. If the accommodation company owning the apartments etc refuses to refund, you have nowhere to go, because BOOKING.COM can only ask them, not force them. So beware!!!
Reviewed Oct. 15, 2020
Worse Customer services department I have ever dealt with. I had a serious complaint about damage to my car driving up a Gite farm road that was full of potholes, ditches and rocks. The steps leading up to the room was in total disrepair and dangerous to adults and especially children, there was an aggressive dog in the Gite. Sheep wandering about the Gite property, we had a dog with us. Booking.com ended up ignoring my messages and emails. Refused us a refund, we did not stay. If you do use Booking.com make sure you only book places that you can get a refund. Most of the Gite's and hotels we stayed in were cheaper than booking.com if we booked direct.
Reviewed Oct. 15, 2020
I booked a room for my family of 5. The hotel only has 1, maybe 2, rooms that could accommodate a family of 5. When we arrived, the room I thought we were getting was not available. They only had one room to show us what they could offer us which was so small that it wouldn’t even fit us. The room had 2 full size beds next to each other with not enough room to fit a cot.
The hotel blamed us for using Booking.com. They said it’s always better to book with them directly. I was outraged. I knew it was their fault. Exactly a week beforehand, our friends, had also tried booking this same room for their family. And when they arrived, the room was not available to them. They were moved to another room that was smaller but at least could sleep everyone in their party. These friends told me about this after their stay and I thought it was a one time glitch. But, when the same thing happened to us I knew the owners of the Sea Breaze were running a scam to book rooms. It was so upsetting. I've reached out to Booking.com to be compensated for our loss but they haven't reimbursed us.
Reviewed Oct. 11, 2020
After confirming a reservation for the Thanksgiving holiday, I received an email that the property was overbooked and therefore Booking.com was cancelling my reservation. The email claimed they tried to call me, which they did not. They offered an inferior alternative, with less sleeping and cooking space and then just kept sending emails about cancelling my reservation despite the confirmation. There is no person available to speak to on the phone at Booking.com and there seems to be a translation issue with the persons sending messages. I have worked with other reservation companies who were very good, This is not a good company to do business with!
Reviewed Oct. 9, 2020
Apparently I made a reservation in December 2019 for a hotel room in another state for a wedding this weekend (ten months later). I completely forgot about it because a lot has happened in the last ten months. Yesterday, I was shocked to see a $300+ charge on my bank account for this hotel room. I checked all through my email accounts and found NO emails about it. You would think I would get a reminder email a few days ahead of the reservation, like other sites send.
I called the property and they said they couldn't do anything about the reservation or the charge because the reservation was made through Booking.com and I had to call them. I called Booking.com. I could NOT reach anyone because their phone system is messed up. I had the information about the reservation right there and know that I entered it correctly because I tried it at least 5 times. Each time the system would ask me to enter my PIN, I'd enter it and then the system would ask me to enter my PIN again. Obviously, there's an issue with their phone system. There was also no apparent way to contact a real live person. I'm able to pull up my reservation on their website using the same confirmation number and PIN that I used on the phone so I'm absolutely sure this is valid. Now it seems I'm out $300+ because it's impossible to reach anyone at this company, which smacks of fraud.
Reviewed Oct. 8, 2020
I had booked a room with them and received an email confirming from them and Priceline, somehow they own one another. So I canceled the reservation an hour later and I received an email of cancellation. I noticed I had been charged for the room and got an email that I no showed to my room. Again I cancel the reservation but these people never sent the cancellation through to the hotel. I got charged and now that I called to get a refund I am being given a hard time. This has been going on for two weeks now. So many associates are emailing me and everyone says something different. I feel that there should be an assigned agent to take care of a case. None of them seem to know what they're talking about. Worst ever. Their deals aren’t even worth the headache. Moving forward I will book straight to the hotel and eliminate these fraud third party services.
Reviewed Oct. 4, 2020
Here is a summary of the case: Modern & Luxury Home 195 Besserer Street, K1N 0B6 Ottawa listing in Booking.com is a Scam. I showed up at this address and found out by 2 security guards that this place is never been for rent. They told me to call Police. After 5 day trips on the road I called Booking.com to report this Scam and also asking if they can compensate my money. 10 days later there is nothing happened I called back, this time they said the landlord told them that I did not show up and want to cancel so I was at fault. Not argue more I told them this Scam can be easy found if they can just Google it, it is not only me getting this scam. If they believed this landlord then just send me a confirmation email.
Later they probably found out that I am right, they give me cancel free and ask me for proof to compensate. I sent the credit card statement and they said it is not valid, they want the invoice from the Modern & Luxury Home?!!!? How do I get an invoice from this Modern & Luxury Home since it isn’t true place? I gave up. The truth is I am more upset with this "Booking.com Scam" than the hotel itself.
HT
Note: I still have all Proof of this incident if you would want to view.
Reviewed Oct. 4, 2020
So I booked a motel through Booking.com. Got to the crappy place and there was no way my wife was going to stay there so we contacted booking.com about it. They said they had to contact the hotel and get their OK. That took a couple of days even though the hotel emailed me and said they had agreed to a refund. Finally, booking.com emailed me saying yes there would be a refund. That was on July 28, 2020.
I have used this company before with no issues except I've never requested AND been confirmed a refund was due until now. Needless to say after 2 months I no longer expect to see my refund from a company based somewhere in Eastern Europe in a former Soviet country with no 800 number to contact people directly. You there's a reason why company's don't give out their phone number. It's usually because they don't want to deal with the avalanche of complaints.
Reviewed Oct. 4, 2020
Be aware! Their bottom line is important to Booking, not you as a customer! I have had two incidents where promises were made but when it came to refunding a cancellation or honouring a customer loyalty cashback offer, Booking refused to pay and came up with excuses of either technicalities, procedures, or terms and conditions which were not stated at the moment of booking.
When contacting customer support with my concerns, messages were either not read properly and dismissed. I find it very disappointing how Booking handles their customers' concerns when it affects money out of their pockets! I have been using booking frequently for many years having had their highest customer loyalty level, genius 2, Unfortunately it has become abundantly clear to me that Booking rather loses its (returning) customers than to make any cost or effort to keep them. Better try to deal with the property you wish to stay with directly. This has been my only successful way to solve issues so far, and will possibly get you a better and more personalized deal.

Reviewed Oct. 1, 2020
I made a reservation at Rodeway Inn in Grand Rapids MI by the airport and they were rude when I cancelled. Also booking did not follow up on their end. They charge me for the entire reservation and would not use them unless you want to be scammed.
Reviewed Sept. 28, 2020
I made a reservation with Booking.com over a month ago for 1 king bedroom for (318.72) and just received an email that my reservation had changed to 2 queen beds and the cost is now $470.52. I called and spoke to customer service rep to inquire about the change and was told you changed it. I advised that I did not. She advised that it is what it is and I have to contact the hotel to see if they would change it back. I questioned why since I made reservation with you.
I requested a supervisor, after being on hold for about 20 mins she came back and said that she spoke to a supervisor and repeated the same previous statement that I changed the reservation. I requested a supervisor once again and she put me on hold and never came back. Sure I can cancel the reservation, but I have about twenty additional family members traveling and I would have to cancel all reservations and start over. Never again will I book anything with this company again. The representative's name was Nicole.
Reviewed Sept. 24, 2020
I wanted to cancel a non-refundable booking (which from their terms I was entitled because of COVID-19 lockdown air and travel bans) because I couldn't travel during total lockdown in my country. They said I don't qualify for that and my country has no restrictions (even if I can show proof from official ministry site that you couldn't).
Also in that period Hotel where I supposed to stay CH-Hotel Luka Vienna (shoutout to them, please don't go there) was closed and no one answered at phone or email. Long story short, after months of trying to get my money or get a credit for the amount I paid, Booking.com wiped out all the messages from their system and gave me a official response that I will not get my money back because was non-refundable.
So if the Hotel was closed even If I could go there I would've end up sleeping under a bridge in Vienna, and Booking.com is fine with this and stay strong and proud. Just avoid Booking.com and hotel mentioned. They scam you, and I am not the only one in this situation at the same Hotel. Also they keep that hotel listed on their site all the time.

Reviewed Sept. 21, 2020
I booked the hotel for Chicago marathon 2020, at the time I booked it it was around $200 per night. I did not realize I booked Booking Basic until I clicked the button and saw the confirmation. Anyway, I didn`t care too much back then. Going to the 2020, Chicago marathon had been cancelled due to the pandemic, and the hotel rate goes down to $90 per night on the same dates I booked. I called Booking.com to see if there is any options to cancel or price match this booking. The first customer service agent I talked to told me to contact Agoda if I need to make any changes of my booking.
I called Agoda agent and they were really nice and trying to help, but they could not find my booking record under my name, the confirmation No. received from Booking.com simply does not work in Agoda system. Anyway, I called Booking.com again, and this time it`s a different agent, as soon as he heard I was calling for booking basic, he stopped asking me basic information of my booking and tell me to contact Agoda and the Hotel. I told him I already contacted Agoda and I would like to get a valid booking reference for Agoda to find my booking, he said he has no idea and Booking basic is beyond their support scope.
Then I called the hotel and they understand my booking was for Chicago marathon and they are willing to make some changes to my book, even refund it, the thing is they need my travel agency to initiate that refund request, they can`t directly refund me due to it`s originally booked via travel agencies. So here comes the dead loop: I called Booking.com again, I still got the same response that they do not support Booking basic; I called Agoda again, they still can not find my booking record without a valid confirmation No....This whole experience is very frustrated and I don`t think I would still use Booking.com anymore even I really liked their service prior to the Booking basic experience.
Reviewed Sept. 21, 2020
They are simply more concerned about their bottom line than they are customer service. We had to cancel a stay. There was a family emergency and we contacted Booking.com. They told us not to worry and they would contact the hotel and make sure we could cancel without issue. They called us back and said all we had to do was push the cancel button in our app and everything was taken care of. 3 weeks later!!! We get charged by the hotel. I call booking.com immediately and they said, "That's not our problem. Call the hotel." We call the hotel and they say, "That's not our problem. Call booking.com." So here we are stuck in the middle and no one seems to care about the customer.
The hotel got charged a commission fee from booking.com and booking.com was not willing to waive it. For that commission fee booking.com lost a valued customer who would have spent a lot more money with them throughout the future. I hope it was worth the overall loss. Finally when I contacted customer support they said, "Sorry. Nothing we can do." I asked to speak to someone higher up. They said No! So the first person you speak to is it.. Nowhere to go... No fixing of the issue and they simply do not care about their customers. Dishonesty, lack of respect and lack of empathy... Go find a different booking company.
Reviewed Sept. 18, 2020
Booking.com is the worst. We booked 5 rooms at a hotel that looked good on their website in Carson City and when we arrived we found out it was a crack house hotel and most rooms had live in guests. The rooms were nonsmoking rooms and all smelled like smoke and perfume. I called to cancel and get our money back but the said that they aren’t responsible for the hotel’s accommodations. So we lost our money. Booked rooms 5 miles down the street at the Marriott which were awesome for just a few more dollars. Do Not use this company. They should be aware of the hotel's quality before they provide them on their website. I’ve heard others have had the same issues.
Reviewed Sept. 15, 2020
Booked with Booking.com to rent a car at Routes in ATL. I arrived at ATL and could not locate the pickup. Called several times and received an automated message to email which I did to no avail. I called, email and walked the airport before renting another car to get to my destination. I called Booking.com for support and they turned me over to Routes. Booking.com does not screen the services they offer. They offer no customer service.

Reviewed Sept. 10, 2020
I arrived to Big Bear almost 1 1/2 weeks ago to care for my mom who Hospice thought might be getting close. Afraid of losing her independence she wouldn’t let me in her house so I had to quickly book reservations over a very busy Labor Day weekend. First place booked through Booking was on the edge of being unsafe and then I was able to book a place for a week with the local rental agency Village Reservation Service who was amazing when it came to customer service, actually trading my reservation for a better place for the same price because the one I rented was not up to their standards.
Needing to get closer to my mom's house (thinking she would need more care but possibly still not let me in) I booked a the only place I could find by her house that was not way overpriced. But there was no number to call to ask about flexibility because of my situation. But every time you book a new place it cost so much in fees that I took a risk and booked it for 10 days to get me through two weekends.
After spending 4 days helping my mom I realized that her time is not quite now and that I should get her set up to remain independent and head home for a month or two (18 hours drive in Oregon where I am currently very worried about fire danger). So I started working with Booking.com which was through Evolve (this person or maybe she was a computer... not sure but she was nice and efficient) to see if I could maybe drop the whole reservation or split it and pay for half the nights and they could put the other 5 nights back on the rental market. She said she would send the message on to the authorities (?Bookings) which I thought I was talking with them. No response 24 hours later.
Finally 48 hours later I get this very official robot sounding response saying I had to follow the rules and if I backed out I would have to still pay almost $1400 of the over $1800 bill. I then asked if they could try putting it back on for at least that second weekend since Big Bear is still very busy. Only option they gave is I could stay for how long I want and get credit for the other nights another time.
I asked if that meant I would have to use that credit in Big Bear or if I could use it anywhere and would I have to pay their fees all over again? No response as of yet and this is now a little over a week after making the reservation and 3 days after trying to work with them. I am already pretty stressed out between helping my mom but wanting to get back home because of all the fires. I will never use Booking.com again and from now on will always use the local reservation service. I am very disappointed by Booking.com lack of assistance and their I flexibility. Linda
Reviewed Sept. 10, 2020
I made a reservation for a rental car during Labor Day weekend, I arrived to the pick-up location on time for the rental and when I got to the counter was denied a car that I prepaid for. I called the customer service line for both the Rental car agency and Booking.com. Booking.com denied my refund, said I didn't show up for the car and that there was nothing they could do. When I reached back out to them and reminded them that I did in fact show up for the car nor did I breach any part of the contract I was still denied. I will NEVER deal with them EVER again!!!! I lost out on over $200 and missed my son's tournament. Not a good company!!!
Reviewed Sept. 6, 2020
I have use Booking.com at least since 2000. I have had two problems which were fixed with complete satisfaction. I have used them more for travel in Europe than elsewhere. The quality of the offerings have gone downhill to the point that I have mostly stopped using them except for finding places to stay and then contacting the place directly for a better deal. These days many of the rooms they offer tend to be the hotel's marginal rooms with some kind of problem. In the past it was possible to reserve a room you could cancel up to late in the day of arrival. And that is what I call "free" cancellation.
It seems to near impossible to find a truly free cancellation in their system anymore. I wanted to send my comments directly to booking.com. I could not figure out how to do that-enough said. It is still a good place to find hotels. And even if their system calls a hotel booked full, it probably is not full. Just the special Booking.com "deals" are booked up. I think the last time I made a reservation through them was a one night special situation in 2018, and that was it for the entire year. I am still rated as Genius Level 2 in their system - Hmmm!
Reviewed Sept. 6, 2020
I booked a hotel directly across from the Hauptbahnhof in Munich because I have cancer and cannot walk far with a heavy suitcase. The hotel was once the Hotel Regent located Seidlstr. 2, Maxvorstadt, Munich, 80335, Germany. When I arrived the hotel was boarded up. The business next to where the hotel was, said it closed in early March 2020. It is now September 2020 and Booking.com is still allowing it to be advertised on their site knowing it has been closed for over six months. This cause considerable stress in my life since I am not able to carry heavy items far and I booked this specific nice hotel because of its proximity to the train station. This is the third time in 2 years I have booked a hotel with Booking.com which has been closed for months and they know it is closed.
Reviewed Sept. 5, 2020
I booked a condo for my wife toddler and myself. We booked the flight just before Covid 19 hit. We booked 7 months in advance as well. Well needless to say Covid hit, end of travel. Both the condo owner and I agreed our trip was over as the destination city was locked down. Booking.com charged us almost half of the full booking price as a cancellation fee. Just was too much money, I can understand a small fee to cover some expenses, I know typing a few key strokes, hitting a send button or two is not easy. But to charge 100 US dollars for the labor..Wow..I must be in the wrong business, perhaps I will give up Law and do what these folks are doing.
Reviewed Sept. 5, 2020
I'm extremely disappointed! They specifically have a section that asks if I'm booking for someone else, and that's where I put the name of that person, they even have a comments section for the hotel. When my daughter got to the hotel, they refused to let her have the room, until I drove 2 1/2 hours to show my I.D.! What was the point in that?! I would have put it in her name, if they hadn't put that section in there. No refunds either. Unbelievable! You can't even do a good deed for anyone anymore. I don't know what I'd have done, if it was farther away!
Reviewed Aug. 28, 2020
I recently made a hotel reservation through Booking.com. I never received a confirmation email. I checked my spam and every possible folder and had the email resent and never received. I sent messages to customer service and never heard back. I tried calling them and you cannot be connected to customer service until you provide your confirmation number and PIN number which I never received. I finally called the actual hotel and they send me my confirmation number but I still cannot edit or change my reservation or even view it because I do not have the pin. I don’t not recommend. I should have stuck with Expedia.
Reviewed Aug. 25, 2020
Booked a room in Helen Ga at Alpine Village Inn. Pics were nothing like what it actually was. Couldn’t get owner to see if we could cancel and manager couldn’t do anything so we had to stay. Door wouldn’t lock, room dirty, no amenities, things wrong, paint peeling, etc. Just terrible experience. Finally got owner days later and she was very rude and wouldn’t refund even part of money. Sent complaint to Booking.com with pics of green algae in fountain, paint peeling, cover off AC unit, etc. and they didn’t care either. Said nothing they could do. Will NEVER use this site again and hope for your sake, you won’t either or if you do, you don’t have any issues with your room!
Reviewed Aug. 23, 2020
I made a reservation! The price quoted was CAD 761, but they charged me CAD 806! I called Booking several times and they said there’s nothing they can do!!!! They asked for a screen shot of the price I saw!!! Who would think of taking a screen shot while still making the reservation?!!! I don’t trust Booking.com anymore!
Reviewed Aug. 22, 2020
BEWARE. Although I had a 100% money back guarantee of refund if cancelled before certain time frame, I never received my $467 refund. Booking.com even sent me emails saying my refund had been processed. No credit ever came to my credit card. All of my subsequent emails have been ignored. Complete theft and lack of honoring their guarantee. Will never use again.
Reviewed Aug. 20, 2020
I booked with Booking.com and the hotel didn't have a.c. in 103 degree heat. I didn't stay at the hotel & they're refusing to refund my money. They're trying to say it's "MY FAULT" for not looking at the amenities. I don't look to see if there's a toilet or bed either because I assume it's a given. A.c. in the summer is so essential. It's illegal for landlords to turn it off in summer. SHADY BUSINESS PRACTICES!!!!
Reviewed Aug. 19, 2020
Unfortunately, due to extremely poor customer service I will never use Booking.com again. The representatives will refuse to connect the consumer with management, and if you are told they will connect you - they will disconnect the call. Representative Pablo G. Raised his voice and argued with me for 10 mins about how he would not allow me to speak with a manager. Pablo went on to state “do you need a pillow for the wait, because I have all day, and you’re not speaking with my manager”. In regards to price matching, I sent the company a link as well as screen shots to the same room on Expedia which was $100 less. The Booking team did not respond until 48 hrs later, after which the room was no longer available and DID NOT PRICE MATCH. Horrible service, unprofessional, and would not recommend. Consider Expedia.
Reviewed Aug. 18, 2020
I had a booking for a hotel in Lisbon through Booking.com in May of this year, for obvious reasons that had to be canceled. I contacted Booking.com and the hotel (both through Booking.com and directly) in April to cancel my reservation and then for the next 6 weeks kept contacting Booking.com and the hotel to make sure my reservation was canceled and that I would receive a refund for my reservation under the Booking.com rules at the time. I was even told that I would receive a refund and that the hotel should have processed this already, and we were just waiting for the hotel to confirm if this has been done yet.
I had booked this holiday in November (pre-pandemic) and had paid for the non-refundable booking as this was cheaper. I could cancel my reservation if the hotel accepted my reservation. In the six weeks before my reservation, the hotel did not respond to any communications from me asking for my reservation to be canceled. I have since discovered this is because the hotel was closed during this time (and at the time of my reservation) in line with the Portuguese government’s lockdown rules.
Despite the hotel being closed, Booking.com have refused to give me a refund (or even provide me with their vouchers to cover the money that I have lost) since it is for the hotel to provide the refund and they solely act as an intermediary. The hotel have not responded to any communications since April and even though they are now re-open, there is never anyone available to speak to in order to process the refund.
I have spent the last 4 months complaining to Booking.com and the hotel, but they have been beyond useless and are refusing to return my money or even offer vouchers to cover the fact that a hotel has kept my money despite being closed at the time of the reservation. Throughout all of this, the hotel is still advertising on Booking.com’s website and taking bookings (and were doing so throughout the pandemic when they were closed!). The only advice from Booking.com is to keep contacting the hotel, even though I am sure we all agree 4 months of chasing is enough time, or to cancel through my insurance which does not cover pandemics, as well they know.
All I want is my money back, or even a voucher so we can put this whole shenanigan to bed, but it seems that Booking.com should change its name to Booking.con and wave goodbye to any shred of the good reputation they have left. As you can tell, I am thoroughly disgusted with their behavior throughout, do not book through Booking.com, they do not care about you despite being in the midst of a pandemic!
Reviewed Aug. 18, 2020
Website may be useful to find ideas for a town, but from there book direct. As soon as I booked, I got notice that cancellation was $129. Worse, we paid $62 MORE by using the “service”. Booking.ripoff.
Reviewed Aug. 12, 2020
We booked a trip through Booking.com and with printed confrontation in hand drove 4 hours with children only to find out we had no reservation. I spent 2 hours on the phone with Vacasa who could not help me. They say the room was booked and left me to fend for myself and small children. I have been searching the internet trying to find a contact number and it’s nowhere.. I had to scramble to find somewhere to stay 38 min away. What a terrible experience. I’m very upset and disappointed and I will never use vacasa or booking.com again! And the only reason they have one star is that I had no choice but to select one.
Reviewed Aug. 5, 2020
WE WILL NEVER USE BOOKING.COM AGAIN! Very disappointed with how they deal with Covid situations. Feel like they partner with crooks and do as little as possible to help customers. No proper Complaint procedures. We booked our holiday to Greece long before Covid happened. One of the accommodation is in Naxos, Rita's Blue dreams, (turns out Rita's Blue Nightmares). Our flights to Greece in Aug was cancelled but she refused to budge, refuse to refund under circumstances, saying it is not her fault. Booking does nothing, merely exchanges the conversations between both sides. Is it even legal what they are doing under circumstances? Where can we possibly go to get our money back?
Reviewed Aug. 5, 2020
After the awful customer service experience with trying to cancel a rental car booked with Booking.com I have deleted the app and will not use their services again. I booked a rental car and then shortly thereafter needed to cancel it. The link provided via the email did not work. I called the customer service numbers provided on the cars.booking.com a dozen times. Each and every time was told there was no one there to help me. I called the rental car company, who couldn’t help because I booked through booking.com.
They gave me a third party website to try, and by that time I was 10 minutes past the pick up time so they couldn’t help me. I emailed the email address provided on booking.com asking for help, I received a response saying they only handled accommodations. I found another email address on the card.booking.com website and they responded in the same manner. This experience has been so overly frustrating and difficult that I will not be booking anything with them in the future.
Reviewed Aug. 3, 2020
I will NEVER use BOOKING.COM again! I booked a room in Nashville for two nights for March 2020 back in December 2019. BOOKING.COM or the hotel canceled the reservation without explanation. Almost $400 was paid to BOOKING.COM. My bank and I have continued to try to get a refund with no resolution - 8 MONTHS now.
Reviewed July 30, 2020
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Reviewed July 29, 2020
I was double charged for a stay in the month of June. The hotel said it is because I booked it through Booking.com, and I need to resolve it with them. There is nothing on their website about resolving disputes, or communicating with Booking.com. I will not use this site again since I have not been refunding the second charge after waiting over a month.
Reviewed July 28, 2020
Reserve a hotel room in Copenhagen before our cruise in July. Had to cancel because of Covid-19 and Booking.com were not interested to help me so no refund. Reserve 3 nights after the cruise through Hotels.com with same conditions and got my money back without problems. I had reserved accommodation with Booking.com before and this time is the last time, they are good to grab your money and do nothing for you.
Reviewed July 27, 2020
Always use this website to book but will not use again. Will not issue a refund of our hotel that we could not go to due to covid 19 which on their webpage under FAQ they clearly state we are entitled to. The reason is we didnt cancel our booking with booking.com. We did cancel it with the hotel by email and as they weren't informed they refuse to give a cash refund of just over €800. Also worth mentioning, as no flights were flying into or out of Ireland and Amsterdam they should have known we had no choice but to cancel. DISGRACEFUL. Have emailed my complaint to them and they have not replied. In our group of 4, 2 have lost jobs and struggling financially and it's despicable that because of a technicality that I'm sure they could overlook, we are only been offered credit to use.
Reviewed July 26, 2020
I am extremely disappointed with Booking.com client services. They keep promising that they will get back to me but this is never happening! It's been almost a week they couldn't secure a refund from an hotel. Another hotel I reserved via Booking charged me twice. Looks like they have totally lost the control! I regret I didn't book this vacation with Expedia. I won't reserve via Booking.com again.
Reviewed July 26, 2020
I tried to book a couple of rooms over the phone through Priceline. Somehow one of the rooms went to Booking.com instead. The guy on the phone tried to charge over $100 more for the room than was quoted on the site. He did not tell me this until after he put all of my info through his system. When I found out the new total, I told him that I wanted to cancel it then. He told me that he couldn't and I would have to call back and be cancelled. He was very rude and told me that it was my fault. Then, when I tried to do that, Priceline told me it was through booking.com instead of priceline and transferred me.
When I finally got through to someone there, they told me that they could not help me without a pin code that I never received. So, I tried to explain to him that I never received a confirmation email or pin code. He told me that I needed to find it. I asked, "How am I supposed to find it when y'all never sent it to me." Basically told me that wasn't his problem and hung up on me. My husband finally had to call the hotel to cancel it. That is $500. If I am charged by booking.com, I will be getting a lawyer. I do not recommend anyone use this site. They have the worst customer service ever and will screw you out of your hard earned money.
Reviewed July 20, 2020
We booked 2 rooms at Big Mountain Lodge in South Lake Tahoe through Booking.com back in October 2019 for May 2020. Payment upon reservation of course. I had to cancel the rooms in March when the wedding was canceled and I did with 30 days notice. I have tried and tried to get my over $300 back to no avail.
Reviewed July 17, 2020
Horrible experience, horrible people. Beware, this company is not in the US, no US phone number for customer service, so your emails to their “customer disservice department“ will either be ignored or you will be given the runaround, IF you are lucky enough to even get a response. Forget about EVER getting a refund, even if they promise you one. Short story, corona imposed quarantine, so friend cancelled trip to Chicago, Booking.com FINALLY responded that they would give refund, only if Marriott agreed to waive fees, well, Marriott did agree to waive fees. So did Booking ever respond? No. Did I get a refund from my $260 room? NO. This site should be investigated and fined!!! Any positive reviews here are probably the work of Booking.com employees, who instead of treating their customers well, are trying to cover up their phony promises and abysmal service!!! Never, ever, use Booking!!!! Or, kiss your money goodbye
Reviewed July 16, 2020
This is an extremely dishonest company!!!! I booked a trip to Africa for my family in December 2019. The property I booked was through Booking.com. At the time of booking the site said 'No cancellation fee'. However after I booked, the booking confirmation stated that I would be charged a cancellation fee in African Rand. This shocked me so I contacted Booking.com via online chat. They informed me that what I was reading on the confirmation was not correct and that I would NOT be charged.
In March 2020 (4 months before trip) COVID hit. I immediately contacted Booking.com via chat and again, they told me I would receive a FULL refund. A month later my refund came back less $869. I immediately contacted booking again and they told me to contact the property in Africa. Long story.... After back and forth with both booking and property in Africa, booking has REFUSED to reimburse the difference, claiming that it was an exchange rate issue. However, I had also booked several properties in Africa through Hotels.com and received every single dime back. DON'T BOOK W THIS SHADY COMPANY.
Reviewed July 13, 2020
Summary: I spent 2 full months trying to get a refund from a Japanese hotel (M-1 Stay Ikebukuro) for a $1000 charge, and Booking.com did little to nothing to help me. I ended up winning the dispute with my bank for the charge before I could be given a refund, and now I will never use booking.com again.
This is a very long and detailed story, but here we go. In early February, 2020, I booked a hotel room in Tokyo, Japan for a 3 week long trip in May to visit some of my friends who go to school there. The hotel was "non-refundable", but I was okay with that because I knew I'd show up no matter what. Then Covid-19 happened and all the airlines shut down and Japan closed its borders to most citizens from outside countries, so there was legally no way for me to enter the country.
I was still trapped in the non-refundable rate, though, and the only option I was given from booking.com was to contact the hotel and ask for a date-change or work out a refund independently. I tried that about a month before my reservation date, and they said I might be able to change my dates if I paid them up front. I was very eager to change my dates to 2021, so I let them charge my card. That's my fault, but I was still excited for the eventual trip and the hotel had really good rates.
When I asked again after they charged me, the only option I was given was to change my dates to later this year, which absolutely wouldn't work because 1. I didn't know when Japan would reopen its borders, and 2. I'm a college student and I wouldn't be able to travel anymore once school started again in August. I told them that the only dates I could travel would be in 2021, but they said that I couldn't change my dates to that far out. I was very angry at this, and I thought it was extremely unjust, so I filed a dispute with my bank.
Then, the day of my "reservation" (May 13th), booking.com's website said that their cancellation policy now covered my date and country-- meaning I could cancel for free and get a refund for what the hotel had pre-charged my card. I canceled "for free" and thought I'd be getting my refund immediately. Nope!! Every time I messaged or called them about the refund, I talked to someone new, and only 1/10 of these people usually knew what they were doing. I spoke with people from booking.com several times every week and always felt like I was getting nowhere. It started off that they just needed some screenshots of the charge in my bank account.
After sending that multiple times, they said that they needed the charge to show in Japanese yen in my bank account before they could process a refund. I contacted my bank several times, and everyone I spoke to said that that wasn't possible because the charge had originally been in USD. I told that to booking.com, and finally someone who knew what they were doing sent me a message asking for my bank statement. I didn't feel completely comfortable with that, but sending the bank statement seemed to work. I got a confirmation of refund on June 13th-- a full month after I requested the refund.
2 whole weeks after receiving my refund confirmation, I got another message from booking.com saying that the hotel wanted to charge me an additional $50 for "refund handling" and that I would need to send my card information to the hotel independently to set up an outside charge.... When I confronted them about this more than once, reminding them each time that there was no mention of this additional charge until weeks after a refund had been "processed", I got no response. That whole thing still seems like a scam to me. Their card processor doesn't even have refund fees... I looked into it.
Around this time, I still had not received my money back, so I emailed the hotel and asked about the refund's status. They simply sent me the same screenshot that they had sent booking.com 2 weeks prior as "proof" that a refund had been processed. The screenshot appeared to be detailing some kind of transaction between me and the hotel. Upon closer inspection (it's written in Japanese, so it took me a minute to translate everything), it's clear that the screenshot they sent is NOT proof of refund at all!! It was just proof that I paid THEM back in May! I was angry that booking.com did not look over the screenshot to make sure that it was actually proof of refund before notifying me that I would be getting my money back... So I messaged booking.com about it and also confronted the hotel directly. Surprise, surprise-- no response from booking.com OR the hotel.
Then, a few days after that, I got an email from booking.com saying that the hotel had a problem with my refund and that they needed my card information again. I looked into it, and their card processor (Stripe) actually does not allow refunds on disputed charges. This means that I was right about the screenshot, and the hotel had not even tried refunding me until I called them out for their fake screenshot. I told the hotel I'd be contacting my bank about it and I'd email them again in a couple of days. No way was I going to send all of my card information over email!! I was very stressed about it and out of state visiting family, so I decided to just take a break for a few days to enjoy the time with my parents.
That was actually a great decision on my part, because I opened my email today (July 13th) and found that my bank sided with me in my dispute! I'm very pleased that I get all of my money back and I never have to speak to this horrible hotel or booking.com ever again. It was a extremely stressful and upsetting process that I would wish upon no one. Do NOT use booking.com, and especially do not reserve a room with M-1 Stay Ikebukuro in Tokyo. I'm begging you.
Reviewed July 13, 2020
I was reading all the review, how you guys contact this people???? I call every number I found and I can't get ahold of anyone, I made a reservation to Budget Inn through Booking.com for 7/6/2020, first of all I never receive my confirmation email that had the 4 pin number, 2)-I had to call the hotel to get my invoice, 3)- When my workers arrive to the hotel room, they were dirty, hair in the pillows, blankets, stains in the mattress, bags and mask in the drawers, I could not keep my people there, I called the hotel and the person I spoke to was so rude I couldn't deal with, my guys got almost thrown out. I called Booking.com to every number I could find, when I finally talk to them Thursday 6/9/2020 they suppose to send me an email for me to email all the pictures my guys took and GUESS WHAT, the email never arrived. So I'm still trying to contact them and every number I can find don't work.
Reviewed July 10, 2020
I had really awful experience with booking.com rental. I rent a car via booking.com rental. It has been four months and my deposit is not refunded even I returned the car with full gas and everything. I reached out customer service on booking.com. He/She closed my case even before helping solve my query. DON'T RENT HERE. I wouldn't use them again even if their price is good.
Reviewed July 10, 2020
I thought booking my hotel went well, however, when I had issues with the hotel I was told only booking.com could issue a credit to me. I contacted them and found they are out of country. I had to hassle back and forth with them and the issue still isn't resolved and now they are ghosting me. Disappointed to say the least.
Reviewed July 9, 2020
I booked a room through Booking.com and the hotel was not ready for guest due to covid. After staying the first night I cancelled my reservation at the front desk thinking I would receive a refund. I have not. Booking.com has not even replied to my request a week later. I will be leaving a review on the hotel's website as well. Tilal hotel in Liwa it was dirty, and all amenities were shut down. Also if you are staying there to go to the Moreeb dune... stay somewhere else. They should have announced this on their website. I took photo to back up my complaints.
Reviewed July 7, 2020
I was trying to book a room at the Waterfront Hotel in Salem MA right below said book now so I thought I was actually on the hotel website and they used operators to book rooms. They charged more than the room cost plus a fee so for one night cost me 286 when the rooms there are actually 199. When I try to call no one answers. They have 86 extra dollars that hotel does not have. DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY! CROOKS AND SCAM ARTISTS!
Reviewed July 6, 2020
I booked a bedroom in Hotel Taburiente Playa in la Palma, Canarias, Spain, on July 2020, but 12 days before of the departure the Hotel wrote to inform us that they will be closed during the July and August month. We had flight paid and other familiar issues arranged. Neither the hotel nor Booking as a company sent any sort of apologies for the inconvenience. On top of that, Booking company spent many days without giving us an answer to our request and they didn't provide us any support looking for an alternative accommodation.
Reviewed July 4, 2020
This place is getting rich off their CANCELLATION POLICIES!! - I cancelled my two days because the website booked the wrong hotel and then they STOLE my money and would not give me a refund or even a CHANCE to book a different room with MY MONEY!!! If I could put this place out of business, I would!!! They even said they would return 20 dollars of MY MONEY and didn't even DO THAT!!! I AM SO PISSED!!
Reviewed June 30, 2020
I booked them through the website Booking.com and they charged me before I arrived at the location. On March 15th 2020, I contacted the hostel to to inquire about their policy on the possible upcoming COVID-19 issues and canceling my reservation, after reading an article about Spain and COVID-19, they told me nothing had changed and to contact in the future to inquire again about their policy on COVID-19. On March 23rd I inquired again about canceling my reservation, because of COVID-19 issues, and they told me nothing had changed.
On March 25th the Spanish Government ordered closed all hotels and hostels, except for a select few which the one I reserved was not a part of, and I legally could not stay at their hostel because they were LEGALLY REQUIRED TO CLOSE THEIR BUSINESS yet I was still charged and they have REFUSED to refund my money. I understand if I had missed my reservation and they had to charge me but there was LITERALLY nothing I could do beside BREAKING THE SPANISH LAW and staying ILLEGALLY.
I need a refund of my money because it's wrong they were closed and still kept my money like I had stayed there. Thank you for the help and looking forward to your message. And I just checked today and they are still accepting bookings from the hostel after they have stolen from me. I would stay far away from booking.com or don't give them any payment information because they allow thievery.
Reviewed June 26, 2020
I used Booking.com for a weekend down the shore, for July 3-July 5. Was asked by the hotel owner about my childrens ages, because only children 6 years and under were free. I have 2 boys above that age, it was an additional $15.00 a night per kid and tax. Booking.com has an area on their site for the ages of your kids. I did not see it when booking so it passes me by for 2 adults and 2 kids. It is a defect on their site that is a must answer question. It should have not let me pass it by. When calling and explaining what happened the person Mark I spoke with blamed myself for not filling in the answers. He said I learned a new lesson. What nerve! So it ended up costing me $70.00 more for my trip.
When asking to speak to a manager he just left me hang there. I will not be using booking.com anymore. They don't care about you or your needs and are insensitive to their own errors. They only care that they got your money. People use these sites because it is accommodating and easier. I will be doing my own booking from now on. It cost $250.00 to cancel your reservation with booking.com, which is a hefty price to pay. Please be advised make no mistakes because it is on you. So I would advise going through it with a fine tooth comb. At least it will be right and with no hassles or extra cost when I plan my own trip. I will be sure to let everyone know about my horrible experience with you.
Reviewed June 26, 2020
On Tuesday, June 23, 2020, I began a price match claim with Booking.com. I received a reply from Jesus on the same day asking me to send over screenshots of the price I was charged, the price on the website, and the website's URL to verify the price. I replied to Jesus the same day and attached the information that he asked for. I received an updated e-mail on Thursday, June 25th stating that my claim could not be completed.
I called Friday morning on June 26, and initially spoke to Daisy **. Daisy explained that the claim could not be completed because I did not supply the information that was asked for. When I explained that I did, she had it reviewed by a supervisor. Daisy returned to the phone and then stated that the claim could not be completed because it was not within 24 hours. I explained to her that I could not have reported the claim any sooner, as I booked the reservation on Monday, June 22 and reported the claim Tuesday morning on June 23rd before I checked in. Daisy told me conflicting information, so I asked to speak to a supervisor as my issue was not resolved. She told me that I could not speak to a supervisor, and when I pushed for her to connect me, she hung up on me.
I called back and spoke to Monica the same day. She explained to me that that I did file the complaint within the correct amount of time, but that she needed to place me on hold to verify my claim with a supervisor. During this time, we got disconnected. I do want to add that Monica was helpful and polite. I called back again and spoke to another female representative, whose name I did not catch. I explained to her what I described above and asked to speak to a supervisor right away because not only did I have a price match issue, but a customer service issue as well. She started out pleasant, but she also gave me similarly conflicting information.
At first, she told me the information that I provided was not valid. I told her that I fulfilled the requirements sent by Jesus and I have the documentation to prove it. She countered me and said that I did not provide what they asked for. I then read her the email from Jesus, and then she changed the reason to that I did not respond within 24 hours. I stated that I filed it as fast as I could, as I booked the reservation Monday, June 22 in the evening, and then checked the property's website to double check the amenities and saw the price variance on Tuesday morning, June 23, which is when I started the claim. She stated that in the future, I should book days in advance so that I can file my claim faster. Obviously, this was impossible and contradictory to the information that Monica gave me about the claim timeline.
I then started to question the conflicting information, requested a supervisor again, and she became agitated and stated that I could not speak to a supervisor. I stated back to her that I work in customer service, and when a customer asks to speak to a supervisor, they need to be connected. She stated that she could not do that, and that she would not help me or pacify my complaint and that we are talking in circles. At this time, I stated that I would never use Booking.com again, and that I would be writing reviews and filing complaints, and then I hung up as I waisted over two hours of my time with no results. I have never been treated so poorly by a company's customer service. I filed a complaint with the BBB on Friday, June 26, 2020 and I am awaiting a response.
Reviewed June 24, 2020
My booking got canceled by the hotel for free 4 months ago and even though I called Booking.com and hotel couple of times they still didn't send my money back. I will try to solve this in a legal way and WILL NEVER USE BOOKING.COM AGAIN. DONT USE THIS WEBSITE, THEY STEAL YOUR MONEY. That simple.
Reviewed June 23, 2020
I don't really have the energy to rehash how poor the customer service is with this company and type it all up. Here's what I'll say - I will never book another hotel, flight, rental car, or anything else from Booking.com and I would suggest that ANYONE go elsewhere to book a trip... They won't even allow you to review them on their own website until you book another trip. Do your part to put these miserable people out of business.
Reviewed June 21, 2020
Seriously - you can try on your own and then wish you had read reviews. The hidden extra fees don't show up until it's too late. I have not had this with other online services like Priceline, Expedia or Hotels. So, back to those next time.
Reviewed June 18, 2020
I booked a hotel through Booking.com. We checked in around 12am. We realized it was infested with bed bugs. Disgusted, we left. The lobby, receptionist, operator, and chat were all unavailable. We were hotel-less at 3 am, we had no assistance, and booking.com’s only solution was to wait for the property to open up again the next day to figure out how to proceed. So the fact that we were in a bed with bed bugs, and now, out of an hotel did not matter, because they had to wait 3 days to figure out a solution through the hotel.
Reviewed June 17, 2020
They are allowing individuals to put houses up and advertising them like they are hotels. They are only putting up pictures of roses and cats. They refuse to listen to the customer about what happens.
Reviewed June 17, 2020
Booked a room online for my daughter for 3 days at the Econ Lodge in Rapid City. While booking online I was under impression she would pay for room when she got there. The room was cold. AC suck on, toilet overflowed on floor, blood stain on wall, hair in bathtub, black mold on walls. Honestly I expect so much more with Covid regulations! She told them she wanted refund and they said it would take up to 20 days. I attempted to contact Booking.com. No luck, canceled reservation online only to see they charged me $59. Upon checking my bank statement, I was charged for the room when I booked it. The hotel also charged my daughter when she got there! I will NEVER book another room online again. Priceline didn't do much better with booking a filthy room for her two nights prior.
Reviewed June 16, 2020
I have used Booking.com before and never had any trouble. This time I used them to book a resort in Myrtle Beach, SC and upon arrival my room was not clean. The resort had no other rooms to accommodate me so they issued a refund - which would have to be provided through Booking.com since I used a third party. Understandable.
Here we are 2.5 weeks later, and still no refund. I waited on hold for way too long for someone to tell me the refund had already been issued, but I told them it was not issued to my account. The customer service representative told me I have to prove that I have not received a refund. Talk about a huge judgement of my character - insulted.
I sent screenshots of my account stating I have not received a refund. I waited online an hour to speak with someone through the chat, and then it was closed out and I had to wait again. Once more, the customer service representative stated that they must talk with the resort to confirm the refund. This is absolutely absurd. I have gone round and round with these people and have accomplished nothing. I will NEVER use Booking.com again, and do not encourage anyone else to use them.
Reviewed June 16, 2020
After years of loving Booking dot Com I was very disappointed with their complete failure to help get money back from hotels for bookings I cannot use due to the pandemic. It seems Booking dot com will not honour its own Terms and Conditions nor the law around frustrated contracts.
Reviewed June 14, 2020
As if there isn't enough stress during Covid 19, Booking.com sending me on the verge of a psychological breakdown. I was promised a full refund for a hotel that was closed and planes weren't flying to back in March. Now they are refusing to refund me almost £300 when no services have been provided. Worse still are their "customer services". Never before have I seen such a wide variety of lies and excuses. There have been thousands of emails. I am so frustrated, and also upset that they are thieving from customers like this and are quite shameless about it. They need to go bust and never come back. Shocking behaviour.
Reviewed June 11, 2020
I booked a room with a bed and breakfast with Booking.com. What a mess! I had to cancel my reservation because of COVD19. Booking.com was completely unhelpful about getting my deposit back. To this day, I still have not received my $165 deposit refund. You never get to speak to a live person. I will never use this again.
Reviewed June 7, 2020
In times difficult for all airlines and hotels due to Covid-19, many of them showed liability to their clients/passengers and assisted them in getting a refund. I regret to say that Booking.com - the largest hotel reservation system - was not among them. We had a trip to Seychelles in April 2020, which was duly organized almost a year before when nobody expected what would coronavirus cause our travel plans. A month before our trip, the airline cancelled our flights and made this trip impossible. Having no other option to reach Seychelles, as these were difficult times to travel abroad, we had to cancel the whole trip. And this is when we had an issue with Booking.com.
We had 2 separate reservations for Villa Authentique in Seychelles. Both of them non-refundable. Instead of assisting us getting our money back, Booking.com advised us to contact the property directly (???), as if we’d made the reservation directly with them. The property refused us refund. Booking.com further informed us that they had a list with countries for which they directly refund clients (event if the property is not willing to pay) but currently Seychelles was not on the list. As we did not know that this list was constantly updating and we did not want to lose the money we’ve paid for the hotel (Euro 162), we agreed to receive a voucher because this was the only option Booking.com offered us. A voucher for a villa, which is not part of any hotel chain and could be closed or not existing at the time in the future, when and if we have the chance to make a trip to Seychelles.
As I mentioned earlier, we had 2 reservations for different days of staying in one and the same property - Villa Authentique. We received this voucher for the first reservation. For the second one, we already knew that if we continue to check this list of countries, we might have the chance that Seychelles was included in it and we might be entitled to a refund. So we kept on calling Booking.com and checking for an update. Literally 2 days before our trip to Seychelles, Booking.com updated their list and Seychelles was included in it. Which automatically gave us the right of refund for the second reservation and so we were refunded.
As Seychelles was already on the list of countries we tried to get a refund for the other reservation for which Booking.com had already gave us only the option of a voucher (amounting Euro 162). First we spoke to an agent – she confirmed that we can get a refund even though we had already agreed to a voucher. However, later we found that this was not true. We spoke to another agent who told us that the first agent had made a mistake (????). It turned out that you cannot rely on Booking.com’s agent's words.
Again we received no assistance from Booking.com and were referred to the property, which again refused us refund. We contacted Booking.com several times more but the answer was the same – we were only entitled to a voucher valid for 1 year for a property that nobody knew would exist at the time we'd be able to make a trip to Seychelles. And so we are – with 2 reservations in one and the same property. One of which was entitled to a refund and the other was not.
As a liable Booking.com clients we have made 110 reservations so far and we have never thought we'd not expect adequate support from them. For the sake of comparison, we had another trip during Covid-19, the accommodation for which we had booked through Hotels.com. A week before the trip Hotels.com contacted us and gave us three options, one of which was a total refund. We chose the refund option and received our money back hassle free. Next time I'd definitely chose Hotels.com. It turns out Booking.com are too big to care for their clients! About Villa Authentique – if possible I'd avoid staying in this property knowing that the owners are benefitting from a difficult situation like this one and would never agree to a refund even though it was not the guest’s choice to cancel the reservation.
Reviewed June 6, 2020
I booked a resort through Booking.com. The website led me to believe there would be a free of charge cancellation policy because there were no actual specific details about a specific cancellation policy regarding the resort I booked. Didn't disclose the information that the resort room was actually owned and managed by a management company and not considered a part of the resort, so I would not receive the full amenities advertised at the resort. Then charged a cleaning fee (which I don't mind paying but would like to know that is going to be a charge before I book) after my booking was completed which raised the whole price higher than I was planning on paying.
Reviewed June 6, 2020
I booked Moore Relaxin' on the Gulf Shores area. Tropical Storm Cristobal is set to hit Louisiana, but heavy rains and a dangerous storm surge are forecasted to affect Gulf Shores. Booking.com was totally unhelpful in reducing or cancelling the cancellation fee - 80% of the total stay. We would not have cancelled if it weren't for the approaching storm of course. Will never use Booking.com again.
Reviewed June 5, 2020
A few weeks ago we planned an emergency trip including several hotel stops. On a Wednesday evening I booked four hotel stays, and cancelled one that very evening. This was with the Super 8 in Valdosta, GA. I received a confirmation of cancellation from Booking.com for the stay that was cancelled. The very next day I received a notification that there might be a partial charge. In the end, I was charged the full price for the cancelled reservation. I disputed the charge. At first booking.com told me the hotel reported me as a no-show. I forwarded to them their cancellation confirmation from the day the reservation was made AND cancelled. They replied that there was nothing they could do since I had not cancelled the reservation myself. I will NEVER use this service again.
Reviewed June 3, 2020
Booked a car and paid in advance. Was told I could cancel up to 24 hours before travel and get full refund. Because of the virus I canceled two months before travel. Was told I could get a credit for future travel or wait three months for full refund. I took full refund. Three months later I was told no refund would be coming because I canceled too late! I called Alamo car rental and they told me they didn't get any payment because reservation was canceled. Stay away from this third party company!!!
Reviewed May 28, 2020
Paid 312 for hotel cancelled 1 day and still charged me $312 when rate says $188.20. Call booking.com they do not help at all and seemed like... oh well good luck. Will never use booking.com again. Very unprofessional.
Reviewed May 26, 2020
This website is the worst. There is no way to contact a real person. No phone number anywhere. FAQs that say the property has to refund you when you cancel your reservation and when you call the property they say Booking.com has to initiate the refund. No real person to talk to at all, no phone number. I had to dispute my charge with my credit card company. I will never use booking.com again.
Reviewed May 20, 2020
I have been happy until this time of Covid19. As we could not travel to our destinations by government decree we lost prepaid accommodation. No support at all. Impossible to get clear answers from Booking.com.
There is no clear line of communication to the company and when I eventually found a phone number (for businesses) and could get through I have had to repeat my experience three times without any answers from either the properties or Booking.com. Eventually one has replied, offering a vague exchange of dates, but there is link to make a response. When there is trouble it appears that Booking.com makes it difficult for consumers to reach them and even more difficult to contact participating properties directly. I could give details of each interaction, of times and dates, etc but that's enough to warn others from using this service.
Reviewed May 18, 2020
I booked 4 hotels for an extended stay in SoCal for my 20th anniversary through booking.com. 2 of the hotels I chose the cheapest option which was non-refundable. This was all set up before Thanksgiving 2019. Along comes spring 2020, and we all know where travel plans went. So I started cancelling things. I did the cancellations via the Booking.com site and on these 2, I did the request fee waiver due to the national travel issues.
Both hotels agreed and messaged me as such. I wait, and wait, so I call the hotels. They tell me booking.com took the payment and hadn't sent it to them yet, so I need to call them. I call, and call (they're in The Netherlands, I'm in Alaska). I get one guy with very little English and have to hang up as I can't understand him enough to get an english speaker on the phone. At this point, I am out over $500 and will never use any of the sites affiliated with booking.com again (booking.com, Priceline.com, Kayak, Agoda, Rentalcars.com and OpenTable). I should have done what I always did in the past and just contact the hotels directly. I paid for trying to go the "cheaper" route online.
Reviewed May 18, 2020
I have learned the hard way that Booking.com is very fast to make a reservation. But God help you if you need to make a change. I made a mistake on the booking date and 2 minutes after I made the reservation I requested to change the date by a day and it took 4 days for them to get back to me by which time it was too late. I've learned the same lesson in 3rd party flight bookings as well such as Expedia.
I hold Booking.com stock but I would recommend everyone to use the site to find a hotel but then book with the hotel directly. Making changes is so much easier. It works well if you don't need to change any part of your itinerary. You just need to have to make a change once to realise what a nightmare it is to modify anything. Please use 3rd party travel and hotel booking sites for comparison shopping but then call provider directly to make the booking. I was told this by bot an online company and a major hotel chain that my life would be much easier if I book directly with them.
Reviewed May 15, 2020
They will not refund my cancellation fee! My trip was cancelled due to Covid yet they are not refunding my $$. This is horrible and will NEVER use them again once we are able to travel again. SHAME ON YOU!!!!
Reviewed May 15, 2020
I have lost a great deal of money on Hotels booked through Booking.com! I booked hotels in London and Paris but because of covid -19 am unable to travel! The OYO Kings Landing Hotel in London promised a full refund in 7 to 10 days in April! I was instructed to cancel reservation! I never received the refund! I contacted Booking customer service. They are of NO HELP! They collect their commissions on your bookings but if something goes wrong you are on your own! I will never use a third party to book a trip again!!!! I am out over $5,000 for booking this myself with third party firms! This includes airfares!
Reviewed May 7, 2020
We had made several accommodation bookings through Booking.com for a vacation to Spain, Portugal, Italy and Zurich. Even though Australia and the countries we intended to visit had closed their boarders to tourists, Booking.com refused to acknowledge any responsibility or effort to have our substantial funds reimbursed. Our flights have been cancelled and we can't even get to these countries. As a Booking Agent operating in Australia, we find it reprehensible for Booking.com not to even make an effort to return our money. It appears we are paying for accommodation we are not allowed to use... through no fault of our own! We will never use Booking.com again as a result. When you plan and save for an international holiday, taking money for services not provided is an absolute disgrace. Shame on you Booking.com. Of further note - Our Airbnb bookings have been fully refunded.
Reviewed May 4, 2020
As a host, I haven't been paid for cancellations while I have a strict cancellation policy and grace period of cancellations due to corona does not apply to these booking periods. Instead, they have presented me with an invoice - for my own property! I have contacted booking.com multiple times- no response. By comparison, AirBnB was good enough to fully refund all guests due to corona but also refund hosts 25% of the costs after cancellations for this period.
Reviewed May 1, 2020
I spent weeks carefully planning 3 weeks in Portugal, reading hotel reviews. I have used Booking for years and now am a "genius level" client. When the COVID-19 virus shut down travel, booking was no help, just continually had me contact the hotel myself. One hotel said that booking doesn't allow them to give refunds on non-refundable reservations. Another refunded service fees and taxes but said that booking was still charging them commission and cancellation fees. They sure have lost me as a customer. I have been contacting them for 2 months now.
Currently the Portuguese Secretary of State has decreed a new law, 17/2020 that requires unemployed people to get a full refund and others to get a voucher which must be refunded if not used in a year. I am dealing with the hotels over that. Booking is neither helpful nor does it encourage its hotels to refund. Other companies are building positive reputations during this difficult time (Like Airbnb).
Reviewed April 30, 2020
Booking.com notified me that the hotel I made reservations to stay at had canceled my prepaid reservations. When I requested refund referred me to hotel and run around. After numerous telephone calls and emails with the hotel and with Booking.com I still have not received a refund of the $800 I paid upfront. I will never use Booking.com again.
Reviewed April 30, 2020
I am appalled at the horrible customer service at Booking.com. I've been trying to get a refund from a hotel in Prague for a trip originally planned in June of 2020. We had to cancel the trip due to COVID-19. We are advised not to travel to Europe through 2020. The hotel will not issue a refund and booking.com is not responding to my requests. I've been working on this problem for 3 months. Additionally, I am not able to call booking.com directly since they are only dealing with current reservations. So I have a $1,300.00 charge on my credit card for nothing. I'm trying all the avenues I can think of to resolve this issues, but booking.com should be willing to assist me as a long term customer. As a result of this terrible customer service, I will never use booking.com again!
Reviewed April 30, 2020
I booked hotel accommodations in March of this year, the pandemic happened and the hotel cancelled my reservations. I was made aware that Booking.com would have to refund me. On April 6th I made the initial call to have my refund processed. Needless to say I've had to call them 4 times and my money is still not being refunded. The concert tickets I purchased was instantly refunded but not these guys. I recommend that you use another 3rd party company all they do is apologize. I also asked to have some sort of compensation for being inconvenienced and she told me no because of the covid 19 outbreak they aren't offering any compensation. I asked to speak to a supervisor/manager I also got a no on that one, "because that will be my final answer." I got so pissed I hung up SMH.... To sum it up, use a different 3rd party when planning a trip!!!!!
Reviewed April 29, 2020
Complete scam artists. Booking.com are refusing all refunds in light of Covid-19 whilst the likes of Airbnb are returning customers' deposits caused by this pandemic. What is worse is that we have a deposit down and the final installment is due tomorrow and Booking.com are trying to string it out and stall in the hope we allow the booking to continue into tomorrow and debit our account for the remaining 1025 Euros which we know will be non refundable. We even had them on the phone yesterday confirm that the booking would be cancelled and refund issued to later deny the conversation happened and put in writing that no such deposit would be refunded and we should continue on with the booking and let tomorrow's payment go out. I would expect such underhand tactics from scammers but scammers get shut down. Why are Booking.com allowed to continue to operate on the web?
Reviewed April 29, 2020
Have used Booking.com for many years to good effect. However, I booked about 9 stays early in the year for a trip from Australia through Japan to Germany. When a pandemic was declared on the 12th of March, I immediately set about cancelling the whole trip. The Japanese bookings, including the airline we were flying, gave us 100% refunds immediately. Stays in Strasbourg (Fr.), Berlin and Dresden, despite being non-refundable, were quickly refunded. However, I have had no luck with hotels in Erfurt, Frankfurt (x2), Heidelberg or Munich, and while I have contacted Booking.com several times to try to get these non-refundable bookings annulled and my money returned to me, nothing has happened. In fact, the messaging system they use has made it difficult to communicate.
I know these were all non-refundable bookings, but it's not as though I WANT to cancel them. If I had, I would expect to lose the money! However, overseas travel is basically banned for Australians, it's banned for "foreign leisure tourists" to enter Germany at present, and I have heard that their hotels are closed too. There is over $3000 (AU) tied up in these bookings. Why should it go to these hotels? They can't supply the "products I ordered" and I would have thought that that would be enough for a refund despite the "nonrefundable" nature of the bookings.
Reviewed April 29, 2020
We used this site to book hotel reservations outside Yellowstone. Covid-19 happened and all our reservations booked through Yellowstone were cancelled and refunded. The ones made through Booking.com were not cancelled and we're nonrefundable. They offered to cancel where we would get $20 back on a $500 reservation. Absolutely deplorable company just out for money.
Reviewed April 25, 2020
I booked through Booking.com because it seemed so convenient. When the covid-19 crisis-hit our flight was canceled and Hawaii was put on a quarantine lockdown. So I proceeded to ask for a refund and I was given the ping pong run-around treatment. The hotel would say that I have to call booking.com and they would issue the refund, booking.com would email me and tell me it was the hotel who had to give me the refund. This happened multiple times over multiple days! I finally had to make a decision and cancel and they charged me 100% of the original cost of the hotel for canceling, OUCH!
FYI, the parts of my trip reserved through other reservation agencies (car rental, plane tickets, shuttle transfer and entertainment) were promptly refunded with great understanding of the situation the world is facing. Just as a last comment. The hotel didn't provide a service and my cancellation would not have an extra financial impact - because I wasn't taking another potential customer's place because there wasn't other customers who could have booked the hotel due to the lockdown/quarantine for all of Hawaii. So frustrated.
Reviewed April 22, 2020
At the beginning of January 2020 I planned my European travel and found what seemed to be nice accommodations at City Apartments in Venice, Italy. We had looked forward to the family trip with our 3 teenagers. Well Mid March the coronavirus pandemic started unsettling our plans and by April 20th we decided to cancel our trip. We had no problems cancelling all Airbnb bookings and also some Booking.com bookings. The Venice apartments are a different story.
I reached out to booking.com but they couldn't help us because "We are not processing payments." Reaching out to the Venice Apartments the story I got was "It's booking.com's policy that doesn't allow us to cancel." They offered a 1 year voucher but we will not be able to take the same trip again, especially not within a year. So we just got sewed out of over $400 for a 2 day stay. Just appalling. If there wouldn't be a worldwide pandemic that doesn't even allow us to enter Europe and we had cancelled for any other reasons that's one thing but we literally can't get into Europe till the end of September without having to quarantine for 2 weeks and our trip is starting at the end of May.
Reviewed April 22, 2020
I booked a room thru Booking.com prior to the Covid 19 outbreak. I tried to cancel the booking and was told that booking.com could not cancel it because it was transferred to a 3rd party provider named Agoda (which is a subsidiary of booking.com). When I attempted to contact Agoda I was told the confirmation number provided by booking.com was not in their system and they could not do anything. I called booking.com back and they would not provide me with the number given to Agoda. I requested to speak to a senior representative and still have not heard back. Do not use this company if you think you may need customer service to resolve an issue. It is actually a joke.
Updated review: April 18, 2020
Booking.com never did their job. But Comfort Inn did reach out to me. They give a full refund. Recommend Comfort Inn but will never use booking.com again.
Original Review: April 17, 2020
I rented a room in Grand Rapids for an annual convention which was cancelled due to COVID-19. Choice Hotels states that you will receive a full refund if cancellation is by April 30, 2020. I cancelled and my charge card is still being charged the full amount. Booking.com does not respond to any communications. They may get you a cheap rate, but if you have any changes or complications, you might as well talk to your wall. They are nowhere to be found.
Reviewed April 17, 2020
Booking.com promotes itself as one who makes it easier for everyone to experience the world. However, when issues emerge Booking.com is just gone. 12 March was a dark day in history as there was an official statement which confirmed the pandemic status. As a result, Booking took first measures by publishing some information on their website that in case of official travel restrictions it would be possible to get a restitution even when the booking is non-refundable. It looked too good, to be true…
27 March was the day that Ireland went into lockdown (the airport was not operating anymore and everyone who wandered more than 2 km off their residence address could face legal prosecution). Due to this, I looked on Booking.com if I could apply for a restitution. The advise on the website was to get in touch first with the third party. This what I have done with a copy to Booking.com as wrong contact information has been provided. The number that was given by Boooking.com is only reachable if you have an Irish sim card. Until today I got no response from Booking.com and the communication with third party has been unprofessional and unpleasant.
The third party has done everything in their power to deny at every cost the refund. That is to say: they refused to give information on Covid-19, no clarity if we could proceed with the 27th April booking, invoices were drafted in such a way that we could not get a restitution from our insurance. In short, every time they were just hiding behind the non-refundable policy.
To solve this affair, we have tried to contact Booking.com. On the website and their Facebook Messenger there was no human reaction at all. When you try to call them and provide them with the correct information you get disconnected by a robot. The only option was a public on their Facebook page. After almost 3 weeks we got a reply. The essence of this message was that there are no travel restrictions to Ireland and the booking can proceed as usual. There was no way to reply on this email. I again explained that I can confirm from my personal experience that Ireland is totally lock. Until now (5 days no response whatsoever). If you are in the same situation or you agree with me that Booking.com should be held accountable, please share this message.
Reviewed April 14, 2020
Booked and paid for rental car several weeks in advance. Arrived at airport and waited at pickup location for over 30 minutes. Called pickup company and was told there would be no more pickups as there were no more cars. Call the rental car company (COLUSA) and immediately got voicemail in Spanish. Tried several times with same results. Tried the 800 number and left voicemail. Got a call back from COLUSA stating no cars available. Called Booking.com and they tried several times to reach COLUSA. Booking could not find another car for me as there were no available. Finally found at 6 times what I paid for. Booking told me to rent it and I would be reimbursed. Sent documents to booking and they passed it on to rentalcars.com who they subbed the rental to. Rentalcars.com won't do a thing. Spent 3 hours and 6 times as much money. Ruined my trip.
Reviewed April 8, 2020
In February 2020 I booked 9 night stay at Homestay Walsall through Booking.com. I could not stay 1 night in such filthy conditions. Photos to prove it. I complained through resolver and emailed company. No help whatsoever. They had my money. They put profit before customer service so beware. They do not vet hotels before they put them on their site. I advise going direct someone like Travel lodge or Premier inn where you have a guarantee.
Reviewed April 6, 2020
I booked an apartment in makati manila for the 17/03/20. Because the worsening of the spread of Covid-19. There was an order for the closure of the airport. I contact the owner. The owner understand the situation. He agree that I will not be charged a cancellation fee. However Booking.com did refund me thank for the owner who contacted them to inform them that I should not be charged the fee. Yet when they refund my bank I realise that they took the fee. How sick this company operators. Will never let this go. After the situation with the Covid 19. I will contact the appropriate authorities in my country and the European institution for their callous behaviour. I will never ever deal with such a nasty company.
Reviewed April 5, 2020
I have been with Booking.com for 10 or so years and have always been extremely satisfied. That is until the Coronavirus situation. Our state has been on Shelter in Place for over 3 weeks and it is only getting worse. I made reservations on the Queen Mary for one night, non refundable tickets. I contacted them about 10 days ago and was told via email to contact the Queen Mary directly. I did and they told me that it is up to Booking.com to refund money as they booked the transaction.
If I was the one that initiated a change I understand but this is a pandemic. Booking tells me to contact the Queen Mary and the Queen Mary refers me back to Booking.com because they booked the transaction. The runaround. I had exactly the same situation with a concert in San Francisco that was canceled (Eagle's concert). I had a room at the Zephyr in SF that was non refundable too. I contacted them and they are refunding my money. Is Booking.com trying to milk every last drop from customers before they go belly up? Please refund my money. Len **
Reviewed April 3, 2020
I have been trying to TALK with someone for weeks about a refund on my booking because of the Corona Virus and have had no luck. They say they will call you back and never do. They want to not return my $550.00. I have spoken with the property owners direct and they have also tried to help. Stay away from these people and they are associated with Evolve also. Find another way to stay other than Booking or Evolve.
Reviewed April 2, 2020
We understand their No cancellation policy, but they should take consideration with this COVID-19 Pandemic outbreak. We tried to email them and the owner of the accommodation but they would take no action for this issues. We booked this from Feb and our holiday is not til 2nd week of April but they already charged us with the full amount. We are disappointed about this.
Reviewed April 1, 2020
I have tried to reach Booking.com to get help with a refund for a vacation that had to be canceled because of COVID-19 stay-at-home order by our Indiana State Governor. The condo facility moved the vacation. Booking.com never got that information so they think I had a stay BUT I DID NOT. I realize everyone is off work, including myself, but no one will help and I cannot afford to lose my money. I need help. My husband and I cannot go anytime this year as we are taking our vacation to get paid for being off right now due to business closure. I do not think it is right that all these businesses will not refund money. Now, Florida Governor is stating they do not even want travelers. Wouldn't that be a reason to refund money? I will NEVER use booking.com or RealJoy Vacations again if I do not get some type of resolution soon! Everyone be careful. How companies are doing business now are how they really feel about their customers.
Reviewed March 30, 2020
I have been in a loop with Booking.com over $2500.00 in hotels in Amsterdam and Brussels during this world shutdown. The hotels tell me I can cancel or reschedule but Booking.com will not do it. I will make it my life's mission to warn others about this company!
Reviewed March 29, 2020
I will never again in my life use Booking.com. They refused to refund my money during a national pandemic and forced us to reschedule. Once we chose new dates from their site. They refused to honor the price shown on their website and told us it was more expensive on their computer and we had to pay the higher rate. I provided a link and multiple screenshots of the lower price and they still refused. They are robbing customer of their money during a horrific national emergency. They’re compromising people's health and finances at such a sensitive time. It’s despicable.
Reviewed March 29, 2020
Had a hotel reservation that the hotel agreed to cancel fee free due to coronavirus. Have been waiting for the refund for over two weeks and then find out that I was charged again this morning by the hotel all because the hotel canceled it but BOOKING.COM did NOT cancel it. Had to get a new credit card and now can’t even guarantee that I will get my $$ back.
Reviewed March 28, 2020
I made a reservation two months ago for a condo in Gatlinburg. I was supposed to be able to cancel the reservation if more than 24 hours before check-in. The event I was attending was canceled two weeks ago. I went to Booking.com to cancel the reservation. It was already marked as canceled. Today I got an email from the condo asking for a credit card. They said my reservation was NOT canceled with them. They said only Booking.com could cancel it. I cannot cancel it online, because it is already shown as canceled.
When I call their customer service to ask them to cancel, I am told (by automated system) that they are doing more important things and I must go to their website and get "help". When I go to the website help, it says that I must call their customer service people. It also says that I have no reservations. If I cannot get the reservation canceled, then I will owe the condo more than $1000. This is ridiculous.
Reviewed March 28, 2020
No help with our stay at all even tho we booked it with them.. We arrived at apartment at 12.30am. After giving them notice that we had a late flight and no lockbox info or code, Apartment which is company Easy host was not contactable. Later told me they close at midnight, so after a very long call to Booking.com who at first said this is our fault because I didn't tell them we had a late check in I made them reread all emails sent and they did find I had made them aware of this, 2.5 hours later we still couldn't get in so booking.com finally emailed us another place to stay for the night and assured us that this is not our fault and they would reimburse us this night accommodation, we have not received this of course.
We returned to the property the next day after a message from the apartment that they are sorry and we can check in. We thought well mistakes happen and we returned to find that after another 2 hours and more numerous calls, emails and messages we still couldn't get in. For some reason they couldn't get the info to us as to where the lock-box was or the code. It was pouring with rain little shelter and we had all our luggage and to us we had now exhausted every avenue to getting into the place. After 14 hours just didn't understand how the people on the phone who manage the place couldn't get us in.
We finally left then after about another hour the apartment manager sent me a text of lockbox details. We could not believe this. Why could this not have been done before, we had already moved somewhere else. By this stage can't be expected to wait around 15 hours in a different city with no place to go. Can't believe that they then said that we were a no show and that they did nothing wrong and will not give us our money back. Have emailed booking.com and spoke to them with no answer at all. SHAME SHAME booking.com. This was booked through your site so ultimately this is your problem and for you to wash your hands of this disgusting. The company Easy host stay away from these people. They are disgusting, unorganized and taking people's money. This has to be totally illegal and can't believe booking.com does business with them. We have tried numerous times to get our money. No one will listen.
Reviewed March 26, 2020
Booking.com don’t answer, but keep forwarding my messages to the property, even if the hotel informs me it is all about the policy of Booking.com and that the hotel cannot help me. I shall never use Booking.com again!
Reviewed March 26, 2020
Purchased a night stay near Rome.... with the Coronavirus epidemic and Government advisories we had to cancel: Booking.com will not refund our money...instead playing games with their "help" suggestions. A total rip-off.
Reviewed March 25, 2020
While am generally happy with their service, there is a push to take a considerable discount for a reservation that does not allow cancellations. The standard undiscounted price is about the same as booking directly with the option of cancellations. Using Booking.com is merely a convenience. The discount for forgoing cancellation needs to be comared with the cost of cancellation insurance. Even if one can't use the reservation because of government restrictions the hotels sock it to the customer for far more than their out of pocket costs since at worst they don't have to service the rooms and at best can re-rent them. Bottom line: Don't be taken in by Booking.com's apparently cheap nonrefundable offers.
Reviewed March 25, 2020
There are so many travel bans. I can not leave Aus or enter the UK. But Booking.com and Elmwood Hotel are forcing me to pay 479.15 for accommodation that I can not possibly get to. They are trying to profit from catastrophic events.
Reviewed March 24, 2020
After a tier 4 travel ban by the USA, the highest level, we had to cancel a 5 day trip to Sint Maarten. Booking.com is not supporting at all saying it's up to the Hotel? They want to charge us a 50% cancellation fee. Cannot get through to this Amsterdam Company. Do not use!!! Book directly as these booking companies have turned into **, all of them... Buyer beware.
Reviewed March 24, 2020
I make a reservation with them for an apartment 4000 miles away. The guy put me in a completely different apartment. Booking does not even confirm the apartment. The guy is still renting the apartment from booking.com. He is a scammer. He told me that booking asked him to extend the apartment to the previous person. The guy did not have the apartment to rent and booking has no knowledge of anything. Their customer service could not help me 4000 miles away in another country. They should be put out of business. I complaint several times but with no answer yet the renter is still online with them. BEWARE before booking with them.
Reviewed March 24, 2020
Great till I wanted to cancel 2 rooms 1 night. The room was great. We booked for Friday. Check out on Sunday. The weekend that the government shut down everything to sightsee. I talk to customer service to find out about canceling Saturday because there was nothing for us to do. I told them we would a refund due to the coronavirus. They said they would have to talk to the property which is ** because I talk to the hotel which understood the situation and told me it was up to Booking.com so I will never use this site again.
Reviewed March 24, 2020
I will never use Booking.com again! Due to the Coronavirus situation my mission's trip was canceled. I called Booking.com and because I had paid they refused to refund my money. Said to call the property. I called the property and they said Booking.com just had to call them and talk to a manager and they would be happy to cancel it. It was Booking.com that had my money. When I went back to call them there was no number on their site any longer. Everything was by message and it kept taking me back to no cancellation refund because I had paid. This is totally unacceptable!!! I have sent several messages and no response. I will never book through them again. They kept my $191.
Reviewed March 23, 2020
I booked a trip to Italy Rome using Booking.com. The website charged me for two rooms at the time of booking. Due to the Covid-19 virus the USA and Italy countries both restricted travel to from USA & Italy. I proceeded to cancel my Hotel reservation at the TMark Hotel Vaticano in Rome, Italy and I was told by booking.com that my room is non refundable. So basically, took my $1,037 dollars paid and not refunding.
Reviewed March 23, 2020
During the biggest crisis the world has ever seen, I cannot get a refund for my stay in Wyndham Daytona Beach. Unbelievably irresponsible company. Been dealing with this for weeks and hotel blames Booking and Booking blames hotel. Thanks for runaround.
Reviewed March 21, 2020
THE WORST customer service I ever encountered, impossible to get in contact with them. They don't care about anything other than taking your money. Even with the corona virus epidemic they don't have the decency to allow cancellations to an area which is on lockdown. Our flights got canceled, government of the country closed the borders and yet we are not allowed to get a refund and cancel accommodation!
Reviewed March 20, 2020
Absolutely terrible customer service, impossible to get in contact with them. They don't care about anything other than taking your money. Even with the corona virus epidemic they don't have the decency to allow cancellations to an area which is on lockdown. They rather you put your life and the life of others at risk so they can make an extra couple of euro. Very unhelpful and couldn't care less about the customer
Reviewed March 20, 2020
I will never in my lifetime use Booking.com. I am immensely disappointed in their behaviour. I wanted to cancel my hotel stay weeks before because of the coronavirus. They never refunded me my one-night stay and said they advised me to call back and when I did the machine message kept telling me that my call wasn't urgent. How do you know this. I will never ever go through booking.com, they are despicable in a time of emergency.
Reviewed March 20, 2020
Very unimpressed. Cannot help or change policies due to Coronavirus pandemic. Will not or “cannot” help me with getting my money returned. Have used them for years, but will no longer be using their services.
Booking.com Company Information
- Company Name:
- Booking.com
- Year Founded:
- 1996
- Address:
- 4147 Eastern Ave.
- City:
- Grand Rapids
- State/Province:
- MI
- Postal Code:
- 49508-3405
- Country:
- United States
- Website:
- www.booking.com
